The Cider House Rules

Ah yes, one more bonus book. This should be it for some time, unless I get compelled to purchase
the third part of the trilogy for the “Girl with the” books. Have been a fan of John Irving’s work for
some time so decided to read The Cider House Rules, I actually thought it was on the list and part way
through found it wasn’t, but had to keep on reading. Overall I enjoyed the depth of characters and
complications caused by pregnancies, at least for a number of characters in the book. The setting is an
orphanage (circa 1940s, wartime) for most of the book and follows the travails of Homer, an orphan,
and the doctor at the orphanage, Dr. Wilbur Larch. The relationship between the two is complicated
by the fact that the doctor hides his work (performing abortions for those who have unwanted
pregnancies) and he brings Homer into his assistance, training his in the field of obstetrics, as the boy
ends up staying his entire childhood at the orphanage. Finally, Homer leaves after his teenage years to
work at an orchard, after he befriends the couple (Candy and Wally), who come to see the doctor for
an unwanted pregnancy. While there Homer falls in love with Candy and they become sexually involved,
after Candy’s husband (Wally) is presumed dead during the war. Alas, Wally lives, albeit paralyzed (a
metaphor for lots of things in this book!) and comes home. Candy was pregnant (though people think
it was Wally’s...) and they have the child at the orphanage, baby named Angel. When Wally comes
home, he resumes his relationship with Candy and Homer is forced to leave… back to the orphanage!
He reluctantly takes over the work of the good Dr. Larch, where he allows woman to make the choice
of what to do with their pregnancy. That is the main plot of the book, a few other sub plots but
Homer/Wally/Candy and Dr. Larch are the main story and have a great deal of ethical decision making
moments. Irving’s intricacy of plot and interwoven relationships make him a stand-out author in my
opinion. Still, A Prayer for Owen Meany remains one of my favorite Irving books. Good read for sure!